A screen shot from Lockheed Martin's website at www.lockheedmartin.com.

Lockheed Martin Canada, a supplier of systems, software and professional services to the Royal Canadian Navy, will be in St. John’s Friday to meet with companies that could become partners and suppliers on shipbuilding projects, including the Arctic offshore patrol ships and other future programs.

The visit is part of a week-long tour of Atlantic Canada.

Lockheed Martin officials said in a news release the company will provide a briefing on how companies can prepare and position themselves for shipbuilding work through major contractors. It will then conduct a series of one-on-one meetings to learn about the capabilities of many Newfoundland and Labrador companies.

Lockheed Martin Canada is currently executing a $2.1-billion Halifax Class Modernization program, which is a mid-life refit of Canada’s 12 multi-role patrol frigates to ensure they continue to operate effectively as the backbone of the Royal Canadian Navy’s fleet. The project includes a new command and control system, as well as new radar capability and electronic warfare systems and upgraded communications and missiles.

As a result of winning the Halifax Class Modernization program, Lockheed Martin Canada says it has added more than 300 new jobs in Canada, including more than 150 in Atlantic Canada.

In 2009, the company opened a new facility in Dartmouth, N.S., which is now home to more than 250 employees and includes a state-of-the-art naval training centre. Many of the jobs that have been created are in engineering and computer science. Lockheed Martin says, as much as possible, it has looked to fill these positions with local talent allowing new graduates as well as experienced professionals to remain in Atlantic Canada.